Volunteering

Buddy Scheme

Our Buddy Scheme is part of the hospice care that we provide. It gives the young people supported by Chestnut Tree House the opportunity to enjoy activities with a Buddy.

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What does the Buddy Scheme do?

This gives each young person the opportunity to get involved with a Buddy – a volunteer around their own age, with whom they can enjoy different activities, either within our monthly youth groups and community visits, or as part of our activity days that run during the school holidays. (Volunteers from West Sussex attend the youth groups at Chestnut Tree House, near Arundel. Youth groups will be arranged in East Sussex for patients and volunteers in that area.)

What’s in it for you?

We will provide you with induction training which will include an introduction to the hospice, health and safety awareness and relevant on the job training.

Your Skills

Be reliable, flexible, adaptable, willing to travel and a good timekeeper

Have a supportive nature with a sense of fun and good sense of humour

Have an insight into children with disabilities and the needs of their families, a commitment to Young People and the ability to communicate effectively with them, providing a warm and friendly approach

Have the ability to be non-judgmental and accept people as individuals and respect their differences and the ability to maintain an attitude of tolerance and acceptance to Young People whose values and behavior may be different from your own

Be willing to gain knowledge and experience to meet the needs of the disabled Young Person

Mandatory Requirements

Buddies must be 15+ years old for West Sussex and 18+ years old for East Sussex and the maximum age in both areas is 30.

Have been approved by the DBS system (unless under 16 years old)

Understand the importance of confidentiality

Have resolved any personal grief

All Buddies are supported by our Buddy Co-ordinator.

If you would like to know more about the Buddy Scheme, or about becoming one of our Buddy volunteers, please email cthadmin@stbh.org.uk.

Find out more

“The Buddies that we have spoken to have described this volunteering role as very rewarding. To be able to develop a relationship with the children, and know that you are giving parents a well-earned break, is very special in itself.”

Trisha Cullingford,Fun & Friendship Coordinator

One of our Buddies, Ricky Timms, has shared his experience in an effort to encourage more people to join the scheme.